Take Notice — Kane’s Working On A ‘Shot-First Mentality,’ Agility

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 12: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks looks on against the Boston Bruins in Game One of the NHL 2013 Stanley Cup Final at United Center on June 12, 2013 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Patrick Kane

Patrick Kane. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

(CBS) Widely regarded as one of hockey’s fastest skaters, top stick-handlers and most dynamic scorers, Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane has set his sights on improving in a few notable areas this offseason.

His skating and offensive approach, of course.

“Right now, there’s probably two main things kind of developing,” Kane said during an interview with Matt Spiegel and Matt Abbatacola on Thursday morning on 670 The Score. “More of a shot-first mentality, and that’s something I worked on a lot last summer too and feel I can get better at that — to the point, where maybe if I do have that short-first mentality, I can come down the next time, and maybe the defense thinks I’m going to shoot and I can make a pass to one of my teammates with a little bit more time and space and a better chance to score with their chance.

“And then also coming off the injury last year, I really want to work on my agility and being able to have a couple steps to where I can get more space with the puck because I feel I can do some damage when I get my space, whether it’s passing or shooting.”

So take notice, NHL rivals. One of the sport’s most explosive players doesn’t think he’s explosive enough. And with the recent eight-year, $84-million contract extensions he and captain Jonathan Toews signed, Kane will have every opportunity and the support to do just that.

“It’s a pretty good situation to be in,” said Kane, who scored 29 goals and had 40 assists in 69 games last season.

Kane addressed plenty more in his interview with Spiegel and Abbatacola, including his relationship with Toews, the big money of his new contract, his personal maturation and what it was like to watch this past season’s Stanley Cup Final from home.